1st Inaugural IndigenousWays Red Road Pow Wow

September 27, Sunday
11 AM - 6 PM MT

Santa Fe County Fairgrounds 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507

CommUNITY

Rooted in Community. Rising in Unity.

A Gathering of Healing, Resilience & Cultural Reclamation

FREE & Open to the Public

All Are Welcome

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WALK THE RED ROAD WITH US

There is an old teaching shared across many Native nations: the Red Road is the path of right living of walking in balance, in community, in purpose. It is not a road you walk alone.

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, IndigenousWays invites all of Santa Fe and all relatives from near and far to walk it together for the very first time.

The 1st Inaugural IndigenousWays Red Road Pow Wow comes to the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds as a day that weaves together two of the most profound forces in Indigenous community life: cultural ceremony and the journey of healing. Presented as part of the NEA America250 series, this pow wow is both a celebration of Indigenous resilience and a bold act of reclamation welcoming, healing-centered, and free to all.

CULTURE IS THE MEDICINE

For many Indigenous people, culture is not separate from recovery. Culture is the medicine.

For too many of our community members, the road to sobriety and healing has been walked in isolation away from the very traditions that could strengthen them most. The IndigenousWays Red Road Pow Wow was born from a simple but radical belief: that culture heals.

That the sound of the drum. The movement of dancers in their regalia. The smell of sage. The sight of elders and children together. These are not just beautiful. They are medicine.

IndigenousWays has created a gathering space where:

Healing is honored without shame
Sobriety is celebrated with joy
Families in recovery experience belonging in the full, vibrant context of their cultural heritage
Every relative Indigenous and non-Indigenous is welcomed home to community

What to expect

Dancers, drummers, singers, artisans, and wisdom keepers will gather at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds to create a day that will stay in the hearts of everyone present.

🪶 Grand Entry - Witness the powerful procession of dancers in full regalia

🥁 Host & Invited Drums - The heartbeat of the pow wow

💃 Intertribal Dances - All are invited to step into the circle

🌿 Healing & Wellness Village - Recovery resources, traditional medicine, and community support

🎨 Indigenous Artisan Market - Handmade jewelry, beadwork, textiles, and fine art

🌽 Native Food Vendors - Traditional and contemporary Indigenous cuisine

👧 Youth & Family Activities - Cultural teachings and hands-on experiences for all ages

🎤 Honor Songs & Special Recognitions - Celebrating those walking their Red Road

Full schedule and dance categories coming soon.

A DAY OF RECLAMATION

This is community resilience made visible the answer to generations of cultural erasure, not with anger, but with beauty. With drum. With dance. With the full, unbroken presence of Indigenous peoples in the 21st century.

Bring: Your own chair or blanket (BYOC), water, sun protection, and an open heart.

Pow Wow Etiquette: This is a drug and alcohol free gathering. Please ask permission before photographing dancers in regalia. Stand during Grand Entry, honor songs, and flag songs. All relatives are welcome.

CALL FOR DANCERS, DRUMS & VENDORS

We are currently welcoming:

Dancers of all categories and age groups
Host, Co-Host, and Invited Drums
Indigenous artisan vendors
Native food vendors
Healing & wellness practitioners
Volunteers

To register or inquire: contact@indigenousways.org

BECOME A SPONSOR

As a small but mighty Native led nonprofit, we rely on community partners to keep this gathering FREE for every family who needs it. Your sponsorship directly supports dancer honoraria, drum groups, cultural protocol, accessibility services, and the healing village.

Become a Sponsor

Make a Gift

Every contribution keeps Indigenous culture alive and accessible for the next generation.